Naruto: I, Uchiha, Just Want to Die

Chapter 189: A Feigned Battle Becomes Real, the Nine-Tails Rampages!

Orochimaru's laboratory was located on the eastern side of Konoha.

When Uchiha Ci found Orochimaru, the latter was clad in a white lab coat, fiddling with various bottles and jars.

The scene was relatively clean, at least compared to the grisly conditions of their last encounter in the Land of Rain.

Upon finding Orochimaru, Uchiha Ci shared his deductions in full detail:

"That's the situation, Orochimaru-sensei."

Orochimaru slightly raised an eyebrow and rasped,

"Are you saying that Kumogakure has already begun scheming around Hell Valley?"

"In other words, they intend to exploit the Chibiko clan in Hell Valley, cross through it, and launch a direct invasion of Konoha from the Land of Hot Water?"

Soon after, Orochimaru ceased his work, furrowing his brow as he murmured,

"This location... could indeed be useful."

Uchiha Ci was startled by Orochimaru's response.

All he had done was explain the potential danger to the Uchiha clan and his desire to go to Hell Valley to provide assistance.

Yet, from his words alone, Orochimaru swiftly deduced Kumogakure's likely actions and even predicted the possible trajectory of the conflict!

This man's instinct for war and grasp of the bigger picture were downright absurd.

Not long after, Orochimaru narrowed his golden, serpent-like eyes. He quickly pulled out a small scroll from his sleeve, wrote a concise message, and summoned a small white snake with a series of hand seals. The snake swallowed the scroll and slithered away, disappearing into the distance.

Only then did Orochimaru turn back and, in a calm tone, impart some wisdom to Uchiha Ci:

"Whether what you've told me is true or just a fabricated excuse to leave the village..."

"If you want to achieve your goal, you must conceal your true intentions. Instead, present a perspective that forces the higher-ups to have no choice but to send you out."

"How should I do that?"

Scratching his head, Uchiha Ci looked confused. Such sophisticated maneuvers between high-level individuals were entirely foreign to someone like him, who had always been at the bottom of the social hierarchy.

While he had seen some theories in videos during his past life, applying them in practice left him utterly clueless.

"It's simple," Orochimaru said with a faint smile.

"Change the direction of the information source."

"Provide intelligence that others cannot easily verify in a short time but demands immediate attention."

"From the Uchiha clan's perspective, you could inform the Third Hokage that the Chibiko clan has gone berserk and the mission in Hell Valley is on the verge of failure, requiring reinforcements from the village. However, to ensure you are assigned to the task, some troublesome interest exchange will still be necessary."

"And from my perspective..."

Orochimaru paused, raising his head to look at the ink-black messenger hawk flying in from the horizon.

Extending his hand, he caught the scroll dropped by the hawk and tossed it to Uchiha Ci.

Then, in a nonchalant tone, he declared,

"I just need to turn this feigned battle into a real one."

---

The Hokage's Office

As the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi gazed out through the large window at the peaceful scene of Konoha.

He had just finished a towering pile of administrative work, leaving him exhausted. He got up to stretch his limbs and reached for his beloved pipe, ready to take a comforting puff.

However, before he could take a single drag, a series of hurried footsteps echoed from the hallway.

A visitor barged in without knocking.

"Hiruzen!"

"Emergency battle report!"

Bang!

Danzo Shimura slammed a red-sealed emergency dossier onto the Hokage's desk.

Hiruzen was taken aback, furrowing his brows as he walked back to the desk and opened the folder to examine its contents.

With just one glance, his frown deepened further.

"Kumogakure has allied with the Chibiko clan. Hell Valley is in chaos.

"Iwagakure is retreating; their vanguard has already reached the village.

"The number of active ninjas within Kumogakure has sharply decreased, seemingly reassigned for wartime preparations.

"A unit-sized contingent of Kumogakure ninjas has been spotted at the Yunlei Gorge, including sightings of Raikage's successor 'A' and his partner 'B'?"

After reading the file, Hiruzen's expression darkened.

The Konoha higher-ups had already simulated possible scenarios for the Third Shinobi World War. These developments pushed the situation toward the outcome Konoha least desired.

"Is this information accurate?!"

Hiruzen stared at Danzo, his voice heavy.

"All direct intelligence comes from the Root division. The Anbu has only provided supplementary details—this isn't..."

Danzo's face turned grim at the insinuation, and he cast a sharp look at Hiruzen.

"Hiruzen, do you doubt me?!"

"How many of my operatives have perished for this intelligence, yet now you..."

Hiruzen raised the folder, cutting Danzo's complaints short.

"Enough, enough."

"Summon the elders, the Sannin within the village, the jonin squad leaders, and clan heads. Convene an emergency meeting immediately."

"Discuss war strategy and determine the deployment of forces."

Before long, as one command after another was issued, Konoha's higher-ups gathered in the Hokage Tower's meeting room.

Despite having just concluded a meeting not long ago, another was called, and the discussion quickly shifted to Konoha's newly acquired second Jinchūriki—Uchiha Ci.

---

The Hokage Tower Meeting Room

After Orochimaru analyzed the strategic importance of Hell Valley to the war, it was decided that reinforcements would be dispatched there to counter Kumogakure and the Chibiko clan.

However, Hell Valley was too small and unsuitable for large-scale combat.

As a result, the mission was designated as one for elite small squads tasked with sabotaging Kumogakure's plans.

"The next step is to determine the personnel for the mission," Hiruzen said, frowning as he reviewed the list of names in his hand.

Kumogakure had sent the powerful combination of 'A' and 'B.' Ordinary jonin would likely be defeated in less than ten moves against them.

'A,' the Raikage's successor, was renowned as the "Fastest Ninja in the World," while his partner, 'B,' was the perfect Jinchūriki of the Eight-Tails. Their teamwork maximized offense and defense.

Against such formidable opponents, who in Konoha could stop them?

Danzo raised his head and spoke calmly,

"Hiruzen, why hesitate? Don't we already have someone who is both a Jinchūriki and capable of suppressing tailed beasts?"

On one side, Mitokado Homura nodded in agreement.

"The opponents are the Eight-Tails and the Raikage's son.

"I propose we send Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina."

"With the Nine-Tails' power and Kushina's sealing techniques, suppressing the Eight-Tails temporarily should not be a problem. I also believe Minato's speed surpasses that of 'A.'

"Moreover, Minato excels in sealing techniques, ensuring that if the Nine-Tails rampages, it can be resealed immediately. Their pairing is undoubtedly the best choice."

Danzo, initially intent on pushing Uchiha Ci for the mission, frowned deeply at this logical suggestion, finding himself momentarily unable to refute it.

But before the debate could continue—

From the direction of Konoha's Third Training Ground, a crimson wave of chakra erupted skyward!

The resulting shockwave was over ten times stronger than when Uchiha Ci entered a half-tailed beast transformation!

In an instant—

Crack! Crack!

The glass of the Hokage meeting room shattered under the violent gale.

A massive, terrifying figure with nine tails suddenly loomed over Konoha!

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